The Albion — The Locker-Polding Index

London is full of pubs, but finding one with the perfect combination of atmosphere, style, and authenticity isn’t always easy. There are plenty of just-okay pubs with just-okay food scattered throughout the city, and appearance alone doesn’t always reflect character.

The Albion Pub in Islington is my dream pub. It sits in one of the neighborhood’s 41 conservation areas, defined as zones “of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance.” Modern London is really a series of small villages that have been knitted together as the city has expanded, and during Georgian times, the Albion would have been in a rural area. As a result, it feels more like a country pub than a typical London pub; it’s bigger, brighter, and calmer.

The facade is covered in wisteria, which, though green most of the year, sprouts enchanting flowers for about a month every spring. The interior has been meticulously restored, with its timeless Georgian design elements shining through. Out back there’s a walled garden full of hanging wisteria and lots of seating.

The Albion Pub is a timeless classic that transports you into a different time without sacrificing cleanliness or authenticity. Oh, AND THERE ARE DOGS. It’s a dog pub! With dogs INSIDE the pub!

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